Page 82 of Frosting and Flames

“Bad enough that they had to get backup from Kaysville. And get this—Nick was one of the guys inside the barn making sure no animals were trapped when the roof collapsed.”

“What?” I screech, my eyes frantically searching through the lines on the screen, but it’s a blur. Do I expect the words to change what Jae said, though? “Are you sure?”

“I’m just repeating what the article said. I assume it’s true if they reported it.”

I set her phone down, not wanting to read anymore. My stomach’s unsettled, my heartbeat loud in my ears. Nick could have been trapped in there. Could have been hurt. Could havedied.

I press my hand to my chest, willing my heart to slow.

It’s the same as when that boy mentioned Nick pulling a man out of a burning car. How often does he do things like this?

“Rachel.” She moves to my side, rubbing a hand on my back. “Are you okay?”

I nod, even though I’m not. Worry sits heavy in my chest, coiling and knotting into something I’m not sure I’ll be able to untangle. Of course I know being a firefighter is dangerous. But reading about it, seeing the proof there in print is different.

“It’s okay to worry about him,” Jae says quietly. “To care.”

“I know, I—” I exhale roughly. “Nick rescues dogs stuck in fences and helps people with their smoke detectors and stuff. He’s not supposed to have burning roofs collapse on him.”

My own brief experience as a teenager dealing with our bakery fire had been terrifying. I can’t imagine willingly putting myself in those situations.

“Well, apparently he does. I guess I never thought about it either.” She pauses. “Whew, I’m glad Josh is a software developer.”

Okay, not helping.

I hand her back her phone. “Can you email that to me?” I’ll read it when my heart isn’t beating so fast.

Hailey peeks her head through the double doors. “Can I get Mr. Franklin’s order?”

I nod, glad for the distraction as I retrieve the box of custom cupcakes from the walk-in.

I can’t change Nick’s job, but how am I supposed to cope with this worry that’s rooted itself so firmly inside me now?

“Areyou going to tell me where we’re going?”

I look over at Nick, who catches my eye briefly, grinning, before looking back at the road. All he asked before taking me out tonight was if I could stay out later than usual, since tomorrow is my day off.

“You don’t like surprises?”

My lips twist. “I don’tnotlike them… as long as I know what they are.”

He laughs. “Is that the first-born child in you? Used to being in control of everything?”

Hmm. I’ve never thought about it like that before. “Well, you’re an only. That has to be even worse.”

“Nah, being an only is different. If you want to make friends, you quickly learn you need to go along with what they want. At least, that’s what it was like for me when I met Tanner and his brothers.”

“Is Tanner a control freak?” I didn’t get that vibe when I ate chili and cornbread the other week with him and Nick.

“No, but if I went over to his house, his older brothers ran the show.”

I nod. “I admit I’m used to being in charge when it comes to my sisters.” It’s just the dynamic we’ve always had. “But not with others. Especially Jae.”

Or Kyle. Or my parents.

His lips curl upward. “Yeah, she seems bossy. No offense.”

“No, you’re right. She means well, though.” My fingers fidget, sliding over the seatbelt strap. “I’ve actually been thinking lately about the amount of control I have in my life,” I say, more as a stream of consciousness thing than anything else. “With the bakery especially.”

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